Wheat Stripe, Leaf, and Stem Rust Diseases

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is one of the most strategic crops in the world. It provides raw material to the agricultural industry and it is the main source of income for many rural areas. Rust diseases are among the most important biotic factors affecting the yield and quality of wheat plants. Depending on the disease’s severity in wheat cultivation fields, the level of yield losses and quality degradation may vary, accordingly, economic losses changes. Wheat rust diseases are categorized into three groups, such as stripe (yellow) (Puccinia striiformis), stem (black) (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici), and leaf (brown) (Puccinia triticina) rusts. This chapter presents information on the rust symptoms, identification, and management.